Head of Sporting Operations, Administration and Events (Senior School)

Permanent, required from January 2025

THE SCHOOL

Ipswich School has been listed as one of the top 100 schools in the country and is certainly one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399, and moved to our present site in 1852.

As our most recent report by ISI Inspectors confirmed, Ipswich School has a fine record of academic success, which is placed within the context of an extensive range of activities outside the classroom. The School operates a five-day week, with representative sports on Saturdays. Games, CCF, Community Service and a variety of other activities take place on Thursday afternoons.  

At Ipswich School our key aim is to encourage pupils to realise and fulfil their potential. By treating them as individuals, providing the best possible pastoral care, and kindling a real interest in their studies, we hope that they will enjoy their education and achieve the best possible results. 

We have multiple sites in central Ipswich, close to Christchurch Park, our Boarding Houses are located on Constitution Hill and Anglesea Heights and our Sports facilities are based on Henley Road and at Rushmere St Andrew. 

THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT

Sport at Ipswich School is delivered by a range of specialist coaches and full time teaching staff with skills, passion and enthusiasm in sport. There are individual Heads of Sport that provide the day to day running of their sport, under the guidance of the Director of Sport. A wide and varied programme is provided for our pupils; from creating an interest in sport, to playing competitively at a high level, from health-related activities to enhancing levels of fitness.

Find out more about Sport at Ipswich School by visiting our website: https://www.ipswich.school/sport/

THE POST

You will provide effective administrative support to the Director of Sport and Heads of Sport, and be an important point of contact for our pupils, parents, staff, and the wider school community.  

You will also report to the Deputy Head Academic in relation to the oversight of the School’s provision for clubs and activities, and trading company activities, such as House of Fun and Sports camps. We offer a wide range of clubs and activities to appeal to a range of staff and student interests, while also making a significant contribution to the local community.

The duties associated with this post are interesting and wide ranging. You will need to be flexible and adaptable with experience of working in a busy office environment, perhaps in a sports/leisure or school environment.

You must have the following experience:

• Competent user of ICT (in particular Google and Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel and Google docs/forms)
• Good, accurate, keyboard and database skills. Knowledge of SOCS, iSAMs and other school database software would be beneficial, but full training will be provided. 
• High level administrative skills with excellent numeracy, literacy and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise work and have a proactive approach to ensure deadlines are met
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a good telephone manner
• The ability to build positive relationships with a wide variety of different people; pupils, colleagues, parents etc
• Flexible and reliable with a ‘can-do’ approach to being asked to carry out a variety of tasks
• The ability to maintain confidentiality 
• Capable of working under pressure

It would be desirable for you to have the following:

• The ability to take and produce accurate minutes/notes of meetings
• An understanding of/or qualifications in basic first aid and health and safety matters relevant to the post. 
• Experience of working in a school environment.
• The willingness and ability to drive a school minibus (which is subject to holding the required D1 licence). 

WORKING HOURS, SALARY AND HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT

• This is a permanent post, subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period. 
• During Ipswich School term time (35 weeks per annum) the working hours will be Mondays to Fridays from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, with a one hour break for lunch, which is 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week. 
• During Ipswich School holiday periods, a further 225 hours will be worked each year over 30 days (7.5 hours per day), as follows:
• The 10 working days immediately prior to the start of the the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year excluding INSET days which form part of the School’s term time).
• The 5 working days immediately prior to the start of the Lent (Spring) term each year.
• The 5 working days immediately prior to the start of the Summer term each year.
• An additional 10 ‘floating days’ per annum to be worked during the Schools holiday periods (or at weekends) as agreed with the Director of Sport/Deputy Head Academic.
• Your starting salary will be up to £24,200 per annum, for the actual hours outlined above. This includes statutory holiday pay. Your starting salary will reflect your skills and experience and can be discussed further at interview with shortlisted candidates. 

CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

Completed application forms should be returned by noon on 2 December 2024 to: 

Jem Cranfield, Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG. Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential. You can also email your application to hr@ipswich.school if you prefer. 

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 2 December 2024 onwards. 

PLEASE NOTE 

• Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request. 
• Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for, or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School he/she must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (the Senior Deputy Head [Pastoral] for Senior School pupils, the Prep Deputy Head for Prep pupils and the Nursery Manager for The Lodge Day Nursery).